Typewriting machine



Oct. 18, 1932. cs.v a. some 1,833,697 I TYPEWRITING' MACHINE I I FiledFb. 24. 1928 ZSh e tB-Sheet ,1

, WITNESSES INVENTOR WM my ATTORNEY Oct. l8,' 1932. a. a. some 1,883,697

TYPEWRITING MACHINE Filed Feb. 24, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 WITNESSES\NVENTOR W M I ATTORNEY Patented Oct. 18, 1932 PATENT oFFIcE GEORGE G.GOING, OF MIDDLETOWN, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOR T REMINGTON TYPE- WEITERCOMPANY, OF ILION, NEW YORK, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK TYPEWRITINGMACHINE Application filed February 24, 1928.

My invention relates to type actuating mechanism adapted particularly totypewriting machines and other machines employing type bars for printingpurposes. The main object of the invention is to provide actuatingmechanism which is practically noiseless in operation and is moreoverreadily adaptable to small typewriting machines or soc'alled portabletypewriters.

To the above and other ends which will subsequently appear, my inventionconsists after described and particularly pointed out in the claims.

The preferred form of the invention is shown in the accompanyingdrawings, wherein Fig. 1 is a fragmentary front-to-rear verticalsectional view taken about centrally of a typewriting machine embodyingmy invention, only so much of the machine being shown as is necessaryfully to understand said invention.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary operating View.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary view showing in part one of the type actions andthe mounting thereof as seen from the rear, some parts and theirrelative disposition being slightly distorted for the sake of clearness.

Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional view taken on a plane indicated by thesection line 4-4 in Fig. l and looking in the direction of the arrows atsaid line, some of the parts shown in Fig. 1 being omitted from Fig. 4.

Fig. 5 is a transverse sectional View taken on a plane indicated by thesection line 5 in Fig. l and looking in the direction of the arrow atsaid line.

As will be understood from Figs. 1, 3 and 4, the set of type bars towhich my invention is shown as applied are pivoted in an arc of a c rcleand adapted for visible writing, their points of contact being on thefront upper quarter of the platen. Each type bar 1 is adapted to turnabout a fixed pivotal center, the set of type bars being preferablyfulcrumed on an arcuate wire 2 which is detachably mounted on a type barsupport or segment 3 of. any suitable construction. The

Serial No. 256,613.

type bars are, or may be disposed, in guide slots 4 cut radially in thefront and lower portions of the segment, the lower portion being ineffect a downward extension which is provided in the present instancefor additionally supporting other parts of the type action. The segmentis angularly disposed to the vertical, igiclining upward and rear-' wardtowards the platen 5 which is diagram-' matically illustrated. Saidplaten is mounted on a suitable traveling carriage, not shown. Each typebar carries a type block 6 which is preferably provided with two types,a lower case type 7 and an upper case type 8. Normally the lower casetypes 7 are effective to print, but the upper case types may be renderedoperative at will by relatively'shifting the platen and the type bars inany known manner. For example, the platen may be shifted for thispurpose as indicated by the dotted line position in Fig. 1. As is wellunderstood, the type bars at and near the middle of the set or systemare 'substantially straight throughout their lengths but as theyapproach the sides or ends of the system they are bent near their typeends to progressively varying extents in order to bring their types whenin printing position into proper relationship with the printing point onthe platen.

Each novel type action embodying the present invention comprises threepairs or sets of toggles, these being so related and combined as toeffect an accelerated movement of the type bar from normal position to aposition in proximity to the platen, after which the type bar is sloweddown rapidly so as to contact Very lightly with the platen thus.minimizing the noise, a sufficient pressure being thereafter applied toeffect a suitable imprint of the printing type. The sets of toggles areoperated by a set of printing Referring to the novel construction indetail, one set of toggles comprises straight elements or links 9 and 10which are normally disposed in folded relationship under their associatetype bar. The link 9 is preferably a two-part link composed of twoparallel plies or arms, the ends of the two parts or plies being rigidlyconnected by cross pins 11 and 12. The cross pin 11 passes looselythrough a hole in the type bar near its type end and provides a pivotalconnection between the type bar and the link 9, whose plies at theirforward ends embrace the type bar.

The cross pin 12 passes loosely through a hole in the link 10, whichconsists of a single arm or part disposed between the plies of the link9, said pin 12 pivotally connecting the two links 9 and 10. The link 10normally extends upward and forward substantially parallel with itsassociate type bar and has a fixed anchorage.

To provide a support for the type ends of the type bars and certain ofthe toggle links, a segmental support 13 is employed having a downwardextension or flange 14. The support 13 is arrangedin parallelism withthe segment 3 and suitably maintained in rigid relationship therewith.The type ends of the type bars normally lie on an arcuate support orrest 15 made of fibre or other suitable material and contained in anarcuate metal trough or U-shaped casing 16 which is suitably secured tothe upper face of the support 13. The rear face of the flange 14 may beformed with a rearwardly progecting rib 17 in which is a series ofradial guide slots or kerfs 18 that receive and guide the forward endsof the links 10. An arcuate pivot wire or rod 19 extends through holesin the ribpart 17, these holes with the slots 18 providing a continuousopening or seat for the wire 19 which serves as a common pivot for thelinks 10. Each link 10 between its ends is formed with a downwardextension or lug 10 adapted to receive a pivot pin 20 which connects thelink 10 with one link 21 of a second'toggle. The link 21 is preferablymade in two parts or plies embracing the extension 1O between themand'being rigidly connected by the pin or stud 20 which passes looselythrough a hole in said extension. The opposite end portions of thetwo-part link 21 loosely embrace the forward end of the asso-- ciatetoggle member 22, a cross-pin or stud 23 rigidly connecting the lowerend portions of the parts 21 and passing loosely through a hole in themember 22, the pin 23 serving as a pivotal connection between the togglemembers 21 and 22. The member 22 in the present instance is in the formof a bell crank having a downwardly extending short arm 22, the bellcranks 22, 22 being received in the lower end portions of the guideslots 4 and being mounted on a common arcuate pivot wire 24 which passesthrough an opening in the lower end portion of the segment 3 and issecured thereto.

The two sets of toggles 9, 10 and 21, 22 are, as will be understood fromFigs. 3 and 4, arranged in radial planes substantially correspondingwith the plane of the associate type bar. The remainder of the actuatingmechanism for each type bar is however disposed in substantiallyvertical planes and comprises a member or link connected directly to theshort arm 22 of the bell crank 22, 22*. Said member preferably comprisestwo parts 25 and 26, the part 25 being in effect a screw hook, the rearhooked end portion of which pivotally engages a hole in the arm 22, theopposite end being threaded and engaging in a tapped hole in an ear 26on the part 26. The two-part member is thus adjustable so that it may becontracted or extended as required, a lock nut 27 being provided to holdthe parts 25 and 26 in adjusted position. The forward end portion of thepart 26 is bent upward at an angle and is pivotally connected at 28 withthe downwardly bent portion of an angular member or link 29, the forwardend of which has a fixed anchorage, being pivotally connected to a stud30 which bridges aslot 31 in a bifurcated hanger'32 having a shank 33which is rotatably received in a hole in the flange 14. The hanger 32,33 is clamped in place on the flange by a headed clamping screw 34. Theconstruction is such that by loosening the screw the hanger may berotatably adjusted, thereby eflecting a corresponding adjustment of themember 29. It will be understood that this member 29, together with themember 26, constitutes the third pair of toggles. Further,.'it will beapparent by reference to Fig. 4 that the hangers when considered as aset are disposed in an are on the flange 14 so' that the links 29anchored to' them are disposed in a corresponding arc, the middle linkof the set being lower- .most and said links being gradually elevated asthe sides or ends of the set of links are approached, the end linksbeing highest. Between its ends each link 29'is pivotally connected at35 to the upper end of a downwardly extending pull-link 36, the lowerend whereof is pivotally connected at 37 to a key lever 38, the set ofkey levers 38 extending in parallelism fore and aft of the machine. Therear end of each lever is formed with a keyhole slot 39 whereby it isdisconnectibly pivoted on a pivot rod 40 which is flattened at oppositesides and is secured at its ends to ears 41 extending downward from theend portions of a stationary cross bar 42. Theforward end portions ofthe key levers 38 terminate in stems 38 which are capped by buttons orkeys 43. The key levers vary in length as do their stem portions 38,thus enabling the keys to be disposed in four banks or rows as is usualin the standard keyboard. Near their forward ends the key levers passthrough a slotted guide or comb plate 44 which is fixed to the frame ofthe machine and has secured to it oppositely faced seats 45 and 46 whichrespectively receive stops 47 and 48 of fibre or other suitablematerial. The

-front end portions of the key levers are so shaped that normally theycooperate with the upper stop 47 to arrest the key levers and maintainthem in normal position. The lower stop 48 is arranged to limit thedownward strokes of the key levers. As will be understood from thedotted lines in Fig. 1,

. each of the key levers at the end of its downward stroke when arrestedby the stop 48 will have swung its connected type bar to operativeposition. The extensible and contractible two-part member 25, 26 affordsmeans for synchronizing the effect of the stops 48 and 52.

To assist in restoring the parts to normal position after operation,each type action is provided with a coiled restoring spring 49 theforward end of .which is hooked through a hole in the tail portion ofthe associate bell crank 22, 22 The opposite end of the spring has astationary anchorage, and for this purpose there may be provided aflanged sheet metal plate 50 arcuate in form and fixedly secured totherear face of the segment 3. The plate 50 is formed with a series ofholes indicated at 51 through each of which the rear end of one of thesprings 49 is hooked, the plate thus providing a common anchorage forthe springs. It will be seen from Fig. 1 that the links 36 vary inlength increasing progressively from the middle to the side of thesystem, thus connecting the key levers 38 which are in one horizontalplane with the progressively mounting links 29.

Stop devices are preferably provided for preventing overthrow of thetoggles in each type action, said. stop devices as herein showncomprising parallel spring arms 21 formed integrally with the associateparts 21 and connected at their free ends by a shouldered rivet or stoppin 52, thus constituting a spring stop. This pin, as will be understoodfrom Fig. 2, is adapted to coact with its associate member 22 when thetype bar has reached the limit of its movement in printing direction. Atthis time the points 20, 23 and 24 will be barely out of alignment. Inother words, the toggle 21, 22 will be not quite straight.

It will be noted from Fig. 1 that normally the uppermost toggle 9 and 10and the middle toggle 21, 22-22 are nearly closed, whereas the lowermosttoggle 25-26, 29 is approximately open or extended. In operation, whenone of the printing keys 43 is actuated it will swing its lever 38 downabout the pivot 40 or fulcrum rod, exerting a downward pull on the link36 which will break the toggle 25-26. 29, causing the link 26 to pullforward. the arm 22 thereby swinging the arm or link 22 upward andgradually straightening or extending the toggle 22, 21 which in a turnwill transmit movement to the type bar by its stop 48 the type bar willbe in operative.

relationship with the platen. The effect, however, of the linkage 9, 10in association with the linkage 21, 22 is to slow down the type bar justbefore contact so that the printing operation will be minimized as tonoise. The pressure of the nearly straightened toggle 21, 22, however,will exert after contact sufficient force to give a clear impression ofthe type. It may be found desirable to weight the member 21 in order togive the best results for quietness without'afl'ecting the ability ofthe action to attain clear printing. This may be done, for example, bymerely increasing the thickness of the stock from which the member 21 ismade, or the member 21 may be weighted in any other suitable manner.

During the operation of the type action the connected spring 49 will bestretched and after printing the springs will assist ip returning theparts to normal position.

By referring to Fig. 1 it will be understood that when the parts of eachtype action are in the normal position, both of the toggles 9-10 and21-22 are broken, whereas the associated toggle 25-26 and 29 issubstantially in a straight line condition. That is to say the pivotalpoints 30, 28 of the last mentioned toggle and the point of pivotalconnection between the member 25-26 and the arm 22 are all disposed in astraight line. This straightened toggle therefore locks the long arm ofthe member 22 against upward movementand resists any tendency of thetype bar to rebound from its supporting pad 16, and prevents rebound ofthe type bar from normal position. When, however, a printing key isdepressed the associated normally straight toggle is broken, effecting astraightening of the two companion broken toggles 21-22 and 9-10 toactuate the type as hereinbefore described.

Various changes may be made without departing from my invention, whichit will be seen, relatesto a type action orsystem of actions, eachincluding. generally, three pairs of toggles, toggle elements or links;and, specifically, toggle elements, links or arms in combinations ashereinafter set forth.

WVhat I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is a 1. Thecombination of a type bar, a key lever, and operative connectionsbetween said key lever and said type bar for effecting substantially anoiseless pressure imprint, said connections comprising three pairs oftoggle arms, two of the pairs being normally broken and the remainingpair being normally substantially straight.

2. The combination of a type bar, a key lever, and operative connectionsbetween said key lever and said type bar for effecting substantially anoiseless pressure imprint, said connections comprising three pairs oftoggle arms, two of the pairs being normally broken and the remainingpair being normally substantially straight, and a pull link connectingone member of the normally straight pair to the key lever.

3. The combination of a type bar, a key lever, operative connectionsbetween said key lever and said type bar for effecting substantially anoiseless pressure imprint, said connections comprising three pairs oftoggle arms united by a constantly maintained pivotal connection, and astop for said key lever.

4. The combination of a type bar, a key lever, operative connectionsbetween said key lever and said type bar for effecting substantially anoiseless pressure imprint, said connections comprising three pairs oftoggle links united by a constantly maintained pivotal connection, astop for said key lever, and coacting stops on one pair of links forpreventing overthrow.

5. The combination of a type bar, a key lever, and operative connectionsbetween said key lever and said type bar for-effecting substantially anoiseless pressure imprint, said connections comprising three pairs oftoggle elements, certain of the toggle elements lying substantially inthe plane of the type bar and certain other of said elements lyingsubstantially in the plane of the key lever.

6. The combination of a plurality of type bars arranged in an arc of acircle, a pluralitv of key levers arranged "in a horizontal plane andlying parallel with each other, and connections between each type barand its associate key lever for effecting substantially a noiselesspressure imprint, said connections comprising three pairs of togglearms, and means for preventing all of saidtoggle arms from moving beyondtheir straight line positions.

7. The combination of a plurality of type bars arranged in an arc of acircle, a plurality of key levers arranged in a horizontal plane andlying parallel with each other, and connections between each type barand its associate key lever for effecting substantially a noiselesspressure imprint, said connections comprising three pairs of "togglearms, one pair of toggle arms being normally substantially in a straightline condition, and a pull link connecting an element of one pairdirectly with the key lever.

8. The combination of a plurality of type bars arranged in an arc of acircle, a plurality of key levers arranged in a horizontal plane andlying parallel with each other, and

connections between the type bars and the key levers for efi'ectingsubstantially a noiseless pressure imprint, said connections comprisingin each instance three pairs of toggle arms and a pull link, one pair oftoggle arms being normally substantially in a straight line condition,the pull links progressively increasing in length from the middle to thesides of the system and connected to an element of the toggle arms whichare normally in a straight line condition.

9. The combination of a type bar segment, a type bar thereon, a supportfor the free end portion of the type bar, a key lever, and connectionsbetween the key lever and the type bar comprising three pairs of togglelinks all three pairs having stationary anchorages for one of theirlinks, two of such anchorages being on said support and the thirdanchorage being on said type bar segment.

10. The combination of a type bar, and actuating and controlling meanstherefor for effecting substantially a noiseless pressure imprint, saidmeans comprising a finger key, and a plurality of toggles one of whichnormally is substantially in a straight line condition and preventsrebound of the type bar from its normal position of rest and when brokentransmits movement to the type bar through the other toggle or togglesto straighten them and apply a pressure imprint.

11. The combination of a type bar, and actuating and controlling meanstherefor for effecting substantially a noiseless pressure imprint, saidmeans comprising a finger key, a plurality of toggles one of whichnormally is substantially in a straight line condition and preventsrebound of the type bar from its normal position of rest, connectionsbetween said key and said toggle which normally is substantially in astraight line condition, and means for operatively connecting said lastmentioned toggle to and controlling the movementof the remaining toggleor toggles and applying the type bar wlth a pressure imprint by astraightening of said last mentioned toggle or toggles.

12. The combination of a type bar, and actuating and controlling meanstherefor for effecting substantially a noiseless pressure imprint, saidmeans comprising a finger key, a plurality of toggles one of whichnormally is substantially in a straight line condition and preventsrebound of the type bar from its normal position of rest, meansfor'preventing said toggles from overthrowing beyond a substantiallystraight line condition, connections between said finger key and saidtoggle which normally is substantially in a straight line condition forbreaking it, connections between said last mentioned toggle and theremaining toggle or toggles for straightening the latter from a normallybroken condition by the br is w of the normally straightened toggle, anmeans for connecting said normally broken toggle or toggles with thetype bar.

13; The combination of a type bar, and actuatin and controlling meanstherefor for efiectmg substantially a noiseless pressure imprint, saidmeans comprising a finger key a plurality of toggles arranged in seriesand one of which normally is substantially in a straight line conditionand prevents rebound of the type bar from its normal position of rest,and adjustable means for efiecting a lengthening or shortening of saidtoggle which normally is substantially in straight line condition. I

Si ned at Middletown, in the county of Mid lesex and State ofConnecticut this 21st day of February A. D. 1928. a

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